Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment and Retention Discussion​

Player	2026​	2027​	2028​	2029​	2030​
Grant Anderson	-​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Mitchell Barnett	✔​	​
Rocco Berry	✔​	​	​	​
Tanah Boyd	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Kurt Capewell	✔​
Erin Clark	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Wayde Egan	✔​	✔​
Kayliss Fatialofa	✔​	✔​
James Fisher-Harris	✔​	✔​	✔​
Jackson Ford	✔​	✔​
Morgan Gannon	✔​	✔​	✔​
Leka Halasima	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔​	✔​
Sam Healey	✔​	✔​
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	✔​	✔​	✔​
Alofiana Khan-Pereira	✔​	✔​	✔​
Jacob Laban	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Ali Leiataua	✔​	✔​
Jye Linnane	✔​	✔​	✔​
Te Maire Martin	✔​
Haizyn Mellars	✔​	✔​	✔​
Luke Metcalf	✔​	​	​
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔​	✔​
Marata Niukore	✔​
Adam Pompey	✔​	✔​
Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔​	✔​	✔​
Taine Tuaupiki	✔​	✔​	✔​
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔​
Demitric Vaimauga	✔​	✔​	✔​
William Warbrick	-​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔​	M​
Connor Bowden	U​	U​	✔​
Jett Cleary	S​	U​
Luke Hanson	S​
Motu Pasikala	S​	U​
Caelys-Paul Putoko	S​
Jason Salalilo	S​	U​	U​
Makaia Taufa	S​	U​	U​

✔ = Signed to Top 30, C = Club option, M = Mutual Option, P = Player option, S = Signed to supplementary list, U = Unclear

2026 Top 30: 29/30
2026 Supplementary: 6/6

2027 Top 30: 23/30
2027 Supplementary: 0/6

2027 Gains: Grant Anderson (Brisbane Broncos), William Warbrick (Melbourne Storm)
2027 Losses: Mitchell Barnett (Brisbane Broncos), Luke Metcalf (St George Illawarra Dragons), Marata Niukore (Newcastle Knights), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Wakefield Trinity)

Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Kurt Capewell, Te Maire Martin
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: Jett Cleary, Wayde Egan, Kayliss Fatialofa, Jackson Ford, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ali Leiataua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Motu Pasikala, Adam Pompey, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

 

[CWC]

Another odd part of all of this, is that by the looks of it, on the socials he's been in aus during all of these rumors. Truely fiendish how he puppeteers events while not even being in the country.

Bro you're actually making it worse for him
The original tea leave was he's already talking to AUS clubs, so now he's also in AUS?
I know the response will be it's for families, but I'm sure he's too busy to have coffee with important people down the road

Kenty I got a bit of mail that Metcalf won't be there next year, uh they resigned him last year to big money uh he had offers to two Sydney clubs last year at 750 and 850. I think he signed for less at the Warriors. My mail is he won't be there next year.
Well, if this situation continues,
that's Yeah, that's every chance to be right, isn't it? Yeah, because look, he he won't he's better than being a bench player, but again, I think Webster has done the right thing.
Go with Tat Boyd.
Well, well, Tanner Boyd look certainly would be less on the cap. Yep.
But he's doing just a Yeah, but he's unsigned for next year,
so they got to sign him, too. So that'll be interesting what they do there.
Well, if look well how far advance are the talks with Metcalf with the NRL other teams?
Yeah, it's Yeah, it's happening.
Well, if that's happening, that's going to be a conversation then, Warren, where they'll go to the Warriors at some point and say hopefully they get permission to negotiate first.
Okay. You think that happens? [laughter] No,
we know it doesn't. Anyway, but either way, it might actually solve a problem for the Warriors as well.
Y so yeah, it's good luck.

​

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmWqtS398HQ&t=492s

It's always fun to go back to the earliest claims and see what happened after or if any confirmation or denial/attempted/hard debunking happened
The earliest claim from the aussie personnel sounds like the info are NOT from within warriors camp but from the AUS clubs

 

[Buzz Killington]

Why couldn't you knock on the coaches door and have a chat? Ask them what their thoughts are and what you could do to keep ticking boxes and get to where you want to be? Is that a bit too mature?

It is impossible to knock on Webby`s door.!

Do you wanna know why?


DO you really wanna know?


Webby literally does not have a door! True story. He took it off so the players could come and talk to him at any time.

 

[CWC]

It is impossible to knock on Webby`s door.!

Do you wanna know why?


DO you really wanna know?


Webby literally does not have a door! True story. He took it off so the players could come and talk to him at any time.

Might be why he was looking for renovation at one of the poster's shop lol

 

[WAH MAN]

It is impossible to knock on Webby`s door.!

Do you wanna know why?


DO you really wanna know?


Webby literally does not have a door! True story. He took it off so the players could come and talk to him at any time.

Great story. Miles better than the reports are that.............

 

[roguei]

Bro you're actually making it worse for him
The original tea leave was he's already talking to AUS clubs, so now he's also in AUS?
I know the response will be it's for families, but I'm sure he's too busy to have coffee with important people down the road

Kenty I got a bit of mail that Metcalf won't be there next year, uh they resigned him last year to big money uh he had offers to two Sydney clubs last year at 750 and 850. I think he signed for less at the Warriors. My mail is he won't be there next year.
Well, if this situation continues,
that's Yeah, that's every chance to be right, isn't it? Yeah, because look, he he won't he's better than being a bench player, but again, I think Webster has done the right thing.
Go with Tat Boyd.
Well, well, Tanner Boyd look certainly would be less on the cap. Yep.
But he's doing just a Yeah, but he's unsigned for next year,
so they got to sign him, too. So that'll be interesting what they do there.
Well, if look well how far advance are the talks with Metcalf with the NRL other teams?
Yeah, it's Yeah, it's happening.
Well, if that's happening, that's going to be a conversation then, Warren, where they'll go to the Warriors at some point and say hopefully they get permission to negotiate first.
Okay. You think that happens? [laughter] No,
we know it doesn't. Anyway, but either way, it might actually solve a problem for the Warriors as well.
Y so yeah, it's good luck.

​

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmWqtS398HQ&t=492s

It's always fun to go back to the earliest claims and see what happened after or if any confirmation or denial/attempted/hard debunking happened
The earliest claim from the aussie personnel sounds like the info are NOT from within warriors camp but from the AUS clubs

Please, please. I'm not making it up or "getting mail", he genuinely looks to of been in aus, according to his partner's instagram story coming back via the international airport. Unlike these guys. Which would help his backstabbing ways of talking to other clubs, and spinelessness to force the coaching stuff to answer his while he's away. It could be to see family for mother's day etc, but it could also be for said villainous meetings with other clubs. And if that is the case im glad it looks like we've signed tannah for a long time, and are confident enough in replacing CHT/Metcalf for that 6 spot with someone.

 

[Makasene]

Please, please. I'm not making it up or "getting mail", he genuinely looks to of been in aus, according to his partner's instagram story coming back via the international airport. Unlike these guys. Which would help his backstabbing ways of talking to other clubs, and spinelessness to force the coaching stuff to answer his while he's away. It could be to see family for mother's day etc, but it could also be for said villainous meetings with other clubs. And if that is the case im glad it looks like we've signed tannah for a long time, and are confident enough in replacing CHT/Metcalf for that 6 spot with someone.

Not a fan of this type of posting at all. It's crap mate.

Bye week, all players will have been given time off.

 

[Username: Required]

Conspiracy theory: Boyd's management team come to an arrangement with Metcalf's management team to help get a few extra dollars on his contract (Metcalf might be leaving, have to resign Boyd at all costs).

A long bow to draw (and definitely not my opinion at all), but I did laugh when this popped into my head.

 

[Hitro]

Conspiracy theory: Boyd's management team come to an arrangement with Metcalf's management team to help get a few extra dollars on his contract (Metcalf might be leaving, have to resign Boyd at all costs).

A long bow to draw (and definitely not my opinion at all), but I did laugh when this popped into my head.

Another conspiracy theory - they are both managed by the same person. Cam George telling him Boyd’s a dead set starter on Monday, then Tuesday saying Mets is back as soon as he’s fit. Somebody’s playing 4d chess, just not sure who

 

[sup42]

Conspiracy theory: Boyd's management team come to an arrangement with Metcalf's management team to help get a few extra dollars on his contract (Metcalf might be leaving, have to resign Boyd at all costs).

A long bow to draw (and definitely not my opinion at all), but I did laugh when this popped into my head.

Posted the same idea some pages back.

These three halves are all close friends we are told. Maybe their partners thought it out over coffee....

I'm sure it has been tried plenty of times by mates in teams. But at a good club like ours (love saying that) there will be a pay structure (obviously all clubs will use algorithms with some human decision making over and above that basis. But the point I want to make is that it shouldn't make too much of a difference what players get up to if the club sticks to it's salary cap strategic plan.

Webster knows what he likes, what he wants, his is a very structured coaching model, and I am sure that is reflected in how they structure pay offers (money ball 2.0. they will be buying metrics like meters, ruck speed, and so forth). The issue becomes market value then, like Tanah and Metcalf peaking at time of signing, this is where top clubs play hard ball because they have depth and options, and lesser clubs have to take it in the ass.

We certainly do not lack for options thanks to McFadden's buying up the halves market.

Personally I doubt they conspired in all of this, I do however see it as something player agents would use in the blink of an eye.

 

[Noitall]

Posted the same idea some pages back.

These three halves are all close friends we are told. Maybe their partners thought it out over coffee....

I'm sure it has been tried plenty of times by mates in teams. But at a good club like ours (love saying that) there will be a pay structure (obviously all clubs will use algorithms with some human decision making over and above that basis. But the point I want to make is that it shouldn't make too much of a difference what players get up to if the club sticks to it's salary cap strategic plan.

Webster knows what he likes, what he wants, his is a very structured coaching model, and I am sure that is reflected in how they structure pay offers (money ball 2.0. they will be buying metrics like meters, ruck speed, and so forth). The issue becomes market value then, like Tanah and Metcalf peaking at time of signing, this is where top clubs play hard ball because they have depth and options, and lesser clubs have to take it in the ass.

Personally I doubt they conspired in all of this, I do however see it as something player agents would use in the blink of an eye.

Seems like it would be a move for the agent that could potentially upset other clients, one being JFH

 

[WAH MAN]

It is impossible to knock on Webby`s door.!

Do you wanna know why?


DO you really wanna know?


Webby literally does not have a door! True story. He took it off so the players could come and talk to him at any time.

I'll rephrase.

Is it impossible to request entry through the portal to Webby's lair?

How's that?

 

[roguei]

Not a fan of this type of posting at all. It's crap mate.

Bye week, all players will have been given time off.

Fair enough mate. Was far to inflamatory. Was only poking fun around how the rumors probably started: Metcalf leaves nz to go see his parents and inlaws over bye week, as they have a newborn and its mother's day. Journos see he has come to aus, know he has signed for marque money but isn't getting back in the 17. Put both togther and put out some "rumors". Then people all across social media paint him as the bad guy (Hence using absurd words like "feindish" and "villainous" and "puppeteering"), and that he should front the media to say its wrong. That it's on him fix people's perspection of his character because of what some journalistic rags have said. Shoulda included a "\s".

 

[sup42]

Fair enough mate. Was far to inflamatory. Was only poking fun around how the rumors probably started: Metcalf leaves nz to go see his parents and inlaws over bye week, as they have a newborn and its mother's day. Journos see he has come to aus, know he has signed for marque money but isn't getting back in the 17. Put both togther and put out some "rumors". Then people all across social media paint him as the bad guy (Hence using absurd words like "feindish" and "villainous" and "puppeteering"), and that he should front the media to say its wrong. That it's on him fix people's perspection of his character because of what some journalistic rags have said. Shoulda included a "\s".

I dunno. I thought your first take read as quite entertaining, lots of colour and flavor.

People were protective of Curran, protective of AFB too. Seems as though there were issues with both those blokes that were not compatible with our culture.

Might be the same with Metcalf, I am gonna wait to see what unfolds, but good on you for breaking cover.

 

[Blain]

If CHT is only wanting a one year deal, I find it hard to see a club going hard for him, and would assume he'd need a good number to move for only 1 year. I would assume we're favorites to keep him, and with a 1 year commitment assume we would look to bring through a long term replacement next year (Cleary, Jye, Inch etc).

Or we may just cut losses this year, keep TMM, and tell Metcalf he is our 6 moving forward.

 

[Emerald]

If CHT is only wanting a one year deal, I find it hard to see a club going hard for him, and would assume he'd need a good number to move for only 1 year. I would assume we're favorites to keep him, and with a 1 year commitment assume we would look to bring through a long term replacement next year (Cleary, Jye, Inch etc).

Or we may just cut losses this year, keep TMM, and tell Metcalf he is our 6 moving forward.

With the number of halves we have being readied for First Grade, CHT only wanting a one year deal looks perfect for us.

 

[Blain]

With the number of halves we have being readied for First Grade, CHT only wanting a one year deal looks perfect for us.

Would you sacrifice Metcalf for 1 year of CHT? I wouldn't.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Would you sacrifice Metcalf for 1 year of CHT? I wouldn't.

That doesnt seem to be the equation tho hey?

Metcalf has stated hes happy to play 6 short term, and while thats open to everyone's guess I believe he means hes happy to play 6 this year until theres an injury to Boyd, or his form overtakes Boyds. Even if hes here nek year and beyond sounds like Luke wants to be the main man with the 7 on his back.

Chanel for a year would literally be perfect for us because of all the young half potential on our books and if were going to get something out of them I imagine 2027/2028 is when we do it so Chanel staying around for 2027 would be great. And if he continues the same way until the end of 2027 I can see him getting a fat contract somewhere...that would be 3 years as one of the better performing halves in the comp.

 

[Franky]

Reports CHT wants a one year deal and his agent is speaking with Aussie clubs. PNG Chiefs enter the competition 2028.

Maybe he wants to get a one year contract in Aus (2027) to establish himself as an Australian tax resident. He then signs a big contract with the PNG Chiefs for 2028 onwards and will be eligible for tax free $$$.

 

[Old Sid]

If CHT and the club agree to part ways at the end of this season, then for me TMM takes 6 until others prove themselves good enough to move him out. I think he'd go real well outside of TB. Good defender, straightens up well, not scared to take on the line, doesn't crab across field, decent speed and has an OK short kicking game. Also plays heads-up when he sees the chance. Similar qualities in a way to CHT but a loss of a left footed kick option.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

I saw on the warriors YouTube series that CHT family flew over for his 100th game. His brother is with the broncos, so maybe they’ve joined him in aus too. Maybe he does want to be closer to family, and guide his little brother into FG? Can’t assume the broncos will take him with their stocks but being a short flight away rather than international travel is probably quite appealing for him.